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Germany’s obligation under international law to make reparation payments to the Ovaherero for genocide
It is almost unanimously agreed upon that between 1904 and 1908 the German Empire committed genocide after today’s understanding (in the following “genocide”)[1] against the ethnic groups of Ovaherero and Nama in what today is Namibia,[2] as approximately 60,000 to 100,000 people – 80 % of the Ovaherero and 60 % of the Nama population…
“We exist!” – Fighting homophobia in Tunisia: changing the laws and changing mentalities
OPINION Sifa 16 September 2022 Beginning of Queer visibility In 2011, the Tunisian people overthrew the regime of the despotic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his familial clan through popular uprising. In addition to this macro-level change, the revolution opened opportunities and spaces for challenging multiple oppressions in everyday life. For example, the…
The relationship between the African Union and the International Criminal Court – Is the ICC targeting Africa?
When the International Criminal Court (ICC) was founded in 2002, most states considered it to be a breakthrough for the international fight against crimes of war, genocides, and crimes against humanity. Especially many African states ratified this promising international treaty and thus make up the largest share, currently representing 30% of the total number of…

Gender Mainstreaming in African Trade: From Conceptualization to Concretization
Women play a vital role in cross-border trade in Africa and are explicitly recognized under the SDG 5 (gender equality) and Agenda 2063 of African Union (AU) that targets a prosperous and comprehensive development of Africa.[i] Again and again, women traders face diverse non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in cross-border trade ranging from customs restrictions and confiscation…
Blind hopes for children’s participation in climate change
The 2021/2022 rainy season in Malawi will among other things be remembered by the devastating images of houses submerged in water, flooded rivers, and roads that have been cut off. All these stand out as effects of Tropical Storm Ana. The devastating effects of the storm led to the president declaring a state of National…
A study of female circumcision in Ethiopia in view of physical integrity: A human rights violation?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as Female Circumcision (FC) is a traditionally deep-rooted practice in East Africa. However, most countries in the world and international organisations view it as a violation of fundamental human rights, such as the right to physical integrity.Therefore, different legal frameworks trying to protect girls and women from female circumcision…

Electioneering Period and the LGBTQI+ Vote in Kenya
Kenya’s general election is slowly gearing up, with the elections slated for 9th August 2022. Any electioneering period in the country has always been marred with cases of violence, and members of the LGBTQI+ community have been victims of the violence. The political environment of hostility and violence has unfortunately enabled homophobes to act on…
On a difficult mission – Somalia elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new president
COMMENT René Brosius 10 June 2022 In the evening of 8 February 2017, it was clear: Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed also known as “Farmaajo” is Somalia’s 9th president. People in Mogadishu were excited, the streets were filled with joyous pedestrians that were celebrating the feeling of hope which Farmaajo represented. There was no feeling of fear,…
Light and Shadow in Somalia – How Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and the Elections are Connected
ANALYSIS René Brosius 12 November 2021 The latest news from Somalia could not be contradictory. On the one hand, the first democratic “one person, one vote” elections since 1969 took place in Puntland, the semi-autonomous state in north-eastern Somalia, on 25 October 2021; on the other hand, there was bloody fighting in central Somalia. Admittedly,…

CONSTITUTIONAL

Constitutionalism in a Time of Corona
COMMENT Prof. Dr. Thoko Kaime 26 February 2021 Constitutionalism, the idea that officials must necessarily be circumscribed by institutions that restrict the exercise of state power; continues to face tremendous pressure across African jurisdictions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the Continent. As the imperative to protect lives underlines many a government’s response, it…
The Right to Vote for Everyone?
ANALYSIS Melanie Schwarzfischer 19 February 2021 In Zambia every citizen over the age of eighteen years has the right to vote, unless he or she is explicitly disqualified by Parliament (Article 75 (1) of the Constitution). However, not every citizen has equal opportunities to conduct their votes. Especially people with disabilities are disadvantaged because of…
Land Rights in South Africa – Constitutional Law, Apartheid and Gender Inequality
ANALYSIS Sophie Stange 12 February 2021 In 2018, the High Court of South Africa delivered Rahube v Rahube and Others a landmark decision protecting women’s rights to equality and land ownership. On October 30, 2018 in the case of Rahube v Rahube and Others ZACC 42 the Constitutional Court upheld the Pretoria High Court’s finding…